Chapter 37

The servant acknowledged and hurried off to report it. Only after Xiao Yun unhurriedly changed clothes did he head toward the clan's main hall.

When he entered the hall, he saw an old man and a middle-aged man seated inside. The old man had graying hair but seemed quite vigorous. His eyes carried the authority of someone long accustomed to a position of power. He was none other than Nalan Jie, the former head of the Nalan Clan.

The middle-aged man beside him had upright features and a steady bearing. He was Nalan Su.

When the two saw Xiao Yun enter, both rose to their feet. Nalan Jie in particular kept an exceptionally low profile, a courteous smile on his face. He did not look at all like the head of one of the Jia Ma Empire's great clans.

"You must be Young Master Xiao Yun. This old man is Nalan Jie. Please forgive my presumptuous visit today."

Nalan Jie clasped his hands in greeting, his posture sufficiently humble.

Nalan Su at his side also bowed. His expression was somewhat complicated as he carefully sized Xiao Yun up several times.

This youth truly looked very young. Dressed in a green robe, he stood tall and straight, his expression calm and composed, revealing neither joy nor anger.

After Xiao Yun walked to the seat of honor and sat down, he took a sip of the tea the servants had just brewed before speaking unhurriedly. "Clan Head Nalan, you have come from afar. What guidance do you have for me?"

When Nalan Jie heard this, he did not beat around the bush and spoke directly. "Young Master Xiao Yun is straightforward, so this old man will not mince words either."

"Some days ago, Yanran, that foolish girl, acted without permission and came to the Xiao Clan to break off the engagement. This old man has already learned of the matter."

"That girl has been spoiled by her father since childhood and has always acted rashly. For any offense she has caused Young Master Xiao Yun, this old man offers an apology on her behalf."

As he spoke, Nalan Jie truly bent at the waist and clasped his hands, his attitude utterly sincere.

Seeing him act this way, Xiao Yun did not immediately state his position. He merely said blandly, "Clan Head Nalan, you are overstating it. Since the matter has already passed, there is no point in bringing it up again."

Seeing that Xiao Yun's tone remained flat and gave no indication of his attitude, Nalan Jie felt somewhat anxious, though he maintained a composed appearance.

After thinking it over, he continued, "Young Master Xiao Yun, aside from apologizing for that girl today, this old man has another matter he would like to discuss with you."

"Young Master Xiao Yun, please speak."

Nalan Jie drew a deep breath, his gaze becoming more solemn. "This engagement was personally arranged between this old man and the former head of the Xiao Clan. Though Yanran is immature, this old man has never intended to dissolve the engagement."

"This old man means that, since Young Master Xiao Yun is now a Dou Emperor, Yanran naturally is even less worthy of a young master of the Xiao Clan. But regarding the engagement... I still hope Young Master Xiao Yun will reconsider. If the relationship between our two clans can grow closer through this engagement, that would also be a fine thing."

After hearing Nalan Jie's words, Xiao Yun did not rush to answer. He lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip, finding the matter somewhat amusing.

This old man had gone in such a large circle, apologizing and bowing. In the end, he simply wanted to preserve the engagement between the Nalan Clan and the Xiao Clan.

Back when Xiao Yan had only three stages of Dou Qi, they had been eager to tear up the engagement and throw it away. Now that the Xiao Clan had produced a Dou Emperor, they were all rushing over to beg for the engagement to be maintained.

People really were painfully pragmatic.

But on second thought, although he was now a Dou Emperor, he could not afford to offend everyone. The Nalan Clan held considerable influence in the Jia Ma Empire. Maintaining cordial relations was better than falling out.

As for the engagement, it was a matter between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. There was no need for him to make the decision for them.

With that thought, Xiao Yun set down his teacup, his tone calm. "Clan Head Nalan, it is not convenient for me to interfere too much in the matter of the engagement. It is my brother's affair."

"Whether Nalan Yanran wishes to break off the engagement or not, she can discuss it with Xiao Yan herself. Telling me is of no use."

Upon hearing Xiao Yun's words, Nalan Jie felt both relieved and worried. On one hand, Xiao Yun had not directly rejected the matter of the engagement, instead leaving the decision to Xiao Yan.

But on second thought, as long as Xiao Yun did not oppose it, there was still room for negotiation over the engagement.

Nalan Jie quickly offered a few more polite remarks, then accepted a storage ring from Nalan Su and presented it with both hands. "Young Master Xiao Yun, this is a small gift prepared by this old man. I hope Young Master Xiao Yun will accept it."

Xiao Yun glanced at the storage ring and sensed its contents. There was a sixth-tier medicinal pill inside, along with many rare medicinal ingredients. The gift was certainly substantial.